Introduction:

    This webpage contains information concerning the SN Cluster of stations. Currently there are four distinct call signs with each station having the ability to exist within the network, or by itself. Considering each site is separated by five to fifteen miles, some users have the benefit of accessing all transceivers. Each site has it's own unique characteristics, and it is not uncommon for users to switch from one site to the other while traveling or experiencing propagation anomalies. Most of the radios operate simplex, although there are four duplex repeaters in service. Most of the transmitters operate at a RF exciter level of five watts, although three transmitters have continuous duty commercial amplifiers. The RF level is purposely kept low to maintain a matched system, if you can hear the transmitter, the receiver can hear you! And please remember the rubber flex thingy on top of your hand held is not an antenna, it is a leaky dummy load.

  During special events all sites will multicast transmit and receive audio streams. Because of the flexibility of equipment being used, interesting possibilities exist such as; in band, cross band, in site, and cross site repeating. Some activities dictate continuous duty transmitter usage, Hamvention and the Eagle Cap Extreme Sled Dog Race activities are three day, 24 hour events. No other system in this area is capable of that type of service.

  Voice and digital networks are available. These networks consist of; Automatic Packet Reporting Systems and Echo Link. The APRS network transmits digital audio, all the other networks use analogue. It is common practice to divide the sites by call sign, meaning all radios at that location use the same call, however, as the system expands, multiple calls at one location is temporally practical.

 This entire network is constantly being worked on, expect some disruptions as the system expands. Some call signs will be in service while others may not be, during maintenance to the system please check the alternate frequencies for overlapping coverage.

  Listen for voice announcements from the controllers and especially from Kate, the radio girl, for information concerning operation of the network and weather conditions.

Reason for Decoding:

    All radios with the exception of the Aprs repeaters, utilize ctcss encoding and decoding. When this system was first built, ctcss (PL)  was not used because of the added expense of purchasing radios with that feature. It soon became apparent that any noise received locally would be retransmitted world wide. Noise and false triggering decreases the usefulness of the channel by causing interference to the network. Decoding combined with cor sampling ensures that only legitimate signals are allowed access to the network. Voice Operated signal detection is not used because of the unreliability of that mode.

  Amateurs have often mistakenly said that a toned system is a closed system, that is not true. This cluster was the first to operate PL decoding in the area, despite objections from the amateur community. Considering the increasing amount of usage of all aspects of the radio spectrum, ( countless people walk around with portable radios known as cell phones, and tablets ) any system that has a means of determining a legitimate signal from noise will be the most reliable. All voice transceivers encode and decode the same ctcss tone, stations can engage decoding on their receivers to ensure noise will not open their squelch. Each site has it's own unique voice announcements with instructions for operation, including the correct ctcss (PL) access. Most of the equipment is also capable of DCS encoding and decoding but that type of signaling is even less popular in this area then ctcss, hence adopting that decoding feature has been delayed.

Origin of Call Signs:

    The first call sign used in this Cluster was SNE and interestingly, it was not the one preferred. That call was first used in Echo Bay, but later, permission was granted to operate a station on the premises of a company that has the same initials as this call sign. It was decided to use the SNE call there, as it would be easier for users to remember.  So, SNE operates from the SNE building in Sault Ste. Marie.  Now, a call was needed for the original Echo Bay site. Looking at the call signs  available, it was obvious that SNT sounded similar to SNE, and that similarity should help people realize both calls were related. Later, when the opportunity to expand to a third site arose,  SNB was chosen for the same reason.  Realizing this cluster of equipment and associated sites required a name, and considering all call signs contained the letters "SN" , the moniker SN Group was born. Afterwards it was decided to look for a domain name that would reflect what this group was about. Upon searching the Internet, the words "SN group" seemed to be everywhere, but "SN Cluster", was not. So, the term "SN Cluster dot net" was decided upon as it would best reflect the collection of stations connected through networks. As the network expanded other calls joined the cluster, and of course the last letter of the suffix was the only change.

Equipment:

    This Cluster currently utilizes twelve transceivers, including four voice repeaters, three digital repeaters, two internet service providers, six interfaces, five repeater controllers, and two weather stations. Considering the transmitters consume a lot of current, three Astron RM-50 supplies are in service. Previously, two new computers were purchased every year to keep up to date with the increased resource demands. All computers are remotely controlled, with UPS backup, and all radios are battery powered. The main computers have dual hard drives with the second drive being a standby in the event of a primary drive failure. With the addition of three laptops to the computer family, remote control from a portable location and complete repeater controller updating at the site is now possible. Four additional computers joined the cluster in 2007 alone, that was the first year spending on computers out paced spending on radios!

    This cluster operates and maintains more equipment and is active on more bands then any other  amateur group in the area.  Most of the money being spent on this system is going towards developing the communications infrastructure, which consists of networks, computers and radios. When this cluster first started the majority of money was spent on radio equipment, later the focus changed to computers, now site equipment is the priority.

 This cluster was also the first to implement a weather warning system using a S.A.M.E decoder which will automatically alert users of severe weather in this area.  Motorola  , Tait  , Kenwood, TPL, Scom  and GE radio equipment are used extensively. Hobby (ham) radios are only used as receivers or to temporally solve a problem until a replacement can be found.

System History:

    This project started in 2002 with an Aprs digital repeater located in Echo Bay, afterwards the cluster became involved in other projects and networks. The SN Cluster was the first Canadian station to permanently establish an eQSO Gateway and the first Canadian to become an active System Administrator for the main eQSO network.  The first weather station was activated December 2004. This group was the first to establish Aprs digital repeaters and provide weather data to amateurs.

    Each voice system has the ability to transmit announcements that are locally generated, this is particularly useful when conveying information about new repeaters, special events and weather warnings.

    Amateur radio is known for developing and advancing technology, so it should be no surprise that amateurs have utilized the internet as another tool to buttress radio communications. This cluster uses a combination of radio frequencies and the Internet to supply communications. Since the Internet has become so important in world wide communications it would not be prudent to rely on that medium as a single source of communications. It is not the Internet that may become unreliable in an emergency, it is the local service providers that may have difficulties with their connection. This cluster was the first amateur radio group to have a satellite internet service provider.

    These world wide networks are much like the high frequency bands. Call CQ and you could get an answer from the next community through the adjacent link, or from the other side of the world. World wide communications on the vhf and uhf bands, regardless of sunspot activity, and all it takes is someone to make the contact. Some amateurs claim that using the Internet to link repeater sites " is not real radio", the people making that statement also claim lack of activity on the bands. If it was not for the computer / Internet technology explosion that has dominated amateur radio in the last ten years, and the enthusiasm of amateurs to use it, we would probably not have any of the frequencies we now enjoy. It is obvious the stubbornness to resist new technology will certainly kill the hobby and allow opportunity for others to use their bandwidth hogging applications without resistance from the amateur community.

    The purpose of the SN Cluster is to promote usage of the amateur frequencies. Amateurs have often been heard saying; "There is no activity on that band so why should I turn on the radio, or purchase one for another band?" The SN Cluster is bringing activity to many bands and frequencies over a large geographical area, so pick up the mike, and say hello to the world.

Donations:

 This system receives no grants, free equipment or any other charity service. Thanks to the local amateur community for the generous donations amounting to twenty five dollars over a period of eight years. The bewilderedness of what to spend it on, still exists.

Nets:

  Most of the traffic heard on this system originates from Echo Link servers. Below is a list of the people that spend a lot of time promoting amateur radio, if you want to support amateur radio, spend a minute of your time and check in to one of the many nets that this cluster hosts.

Do Drop In  South Cars  Ocarc  Breakfast Club

Credit to N9OFU and the Do Drop In Server for the encouragement and space.